Composer and Violinist. At first he studied in a distinguished musical center in Bologna and then established himself in Rome. By 1679 had entered the service of Queen Christina of Sweden, who had taken up residence in Rome in 1655, after her abdication the year before, and had established there an academy of literati that later became the Arcadian Academy. His contributions can be divided in three ways, as violinist, composer, and teacher. Corelli was the first person to organize the basic elements of violin technique. His music was performed and honored throughout all Europe. His music was the most popular instrumental music. Although Corelli was not the inventor of the Concerto Grosso principle, it was he who proved the potentialities of the form, popularized it, and wrote the first great music for it. Cardinal Ottoboni became Corelli's main patron, who made it possible for Corelli to pursue his career without monetary worries, and it would seem that no composer has ever had a more devoted or understanding patron. Corelli's achievements as a teacher were again outstanding. Among his many students were included famed Antonio Vivaldi. It was Vivaldi who became Corelli's successor as a composer of the great Concerti Grossi and who greatly influenced the music of Bach. Corelli occupied a leading position in the musical life of Rome for some thirty years, performing as a violinist and directing performances often on occasions of the greatest public importance.
Composer and Violinist. At first he studied in a distinguished musical center in Bologna and then established himself in Rome. By 1679 had entered the service of Queen Christina of Sweden, who had taken up residence in Rome in 1655, after her abdication the year before, and had established there an academy of literati that later became the Arcadian Academy. His contributions can be divided in three ways, as violinist, composer, and teacher. Corelli was the first person to organize the basic elements of violin technique. His music was performed and honored throughout all Europe. His music was the most popular instrumental music. Although Corelli was not the inventor of the Concerto Grosso principle, it was he who proved the potentialities of the form, popularized it, and wrote the first great music for it. Cardinal Ottoboni became Corelli's main patron, who made it possible for Corelli to pursue his career without monetary worries, and it would seem that no composer has ever had a more devoted or understanding patron. Corelli's achievements as a teacher were again outstanding. Among his many students were included famed Antonio Vivaldi. It was Vivaldi who became Corelli's successor as a composer of the great Concerti Grossi and who greatly influenced the music of Bach. Corelli occupied a leading position in the musical life of Rome for some thirty years, performing as a violinist and directing performances often on occasions of the greatest public importance.
Bio by: Jelena
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